UPDATE: 6.0 Quake Upgraded to 6.9, Small Changes in Sea Level Detected

https://www.facebook.com/byronmatthews2000/posts/10157669551459199

VC: Byron Matthews, May 3, 2018, 5:57 p.m.

OVERVIEW

Steam emissions started and lava began flowing onto streets in the Leilani Estates Subdivision on May 3, at about 5 p.m. from a crack in Leilani Subdivision in the area of Mohala Street and in the early morning hours of Friday, May 3, Makamae Street. At about 12:30 on May 4, a new vent has opened near the intersection of Leilani Avenue and Kahukai Road.

The subdivision consists of about 770 structures.

The lava flow has prompted the mandatory evacuation of about 1,700 residents of Leilani Estates.

The five confirmed eruptions thus far (as of 2 p.m., May 4) are causing dangerously high levels of sulfur dioxide. The entire area is being evacuated.

Gov. David Ige asks that everyone in the East Rift Zone pay close attention to any new developments and prepare now to keep your families safe.

High sulphur levels had already shut down Pohoiki Road. At 4:50 p.m. on May 4, new vents opened near Pohoiki and Kahukai in Leilani Estates. PC: BIN

UPDATE: May 4, 5;04 p.m.

Route 132 isclosed from Highway 137 intersection (fou corners) to Kaulula‘au Road (south of Nanawale Estates).

Bypass using Kahakai Boulevard and Beach Road.

UPDATE: 4:50 p.m.

New vents have opened near Kahukai and Pohoiki Road in Leilani Estates.

UPDATE: May 4, 4:40 p.m.

Hawai‘i Electric Light reported that about 14,400 customers experienced a power outage at 12:33 p.m. following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake. Power was restored to all customers by 2:20 p.m.

UPDATE: May 4, 2018, 4 p.m.

Civil Defense said there is an Emergency Water Restriction in Effect for Leilani Estate, Kapoko and Lanipuna Gardens. Customers must immediately restrict water sue to health and safety needs only.

A community meeting will be held tonight at the Pāhoa High School Cafeteria at 5:30 p.m.

UPDATE: May 4, 3:04 p.m.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College (Manono campus) have closed. Hawaiʻi CC’s Pālamanui campus remains open at this time. Both campuses alerted their students, faculty and staff of closures this afternoon and are posting updates on their campus websites.

For more information about the lava flow from UH, the two campuses have a webpage called, “Joint UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi CC Information on the 2018 Puna Lava Flow.”

UH Hilo: Due to the seismic activity today, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo will be closing its Hilo campus facilities effective immediately to allow students and employees to attend to personal business and priorities. Individuals should feel safe to remain on campus in buildings, including students living in residence halls. All structures on campus were designed and built to resist seismic ground motion per county code and state requirements. Campus will reopen tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, 2018, and continue with normal operations, including the library and Student Life Center hours, if there is no additional seismic activity.

HCC: Hawai’i Community College Manono Campus is closed for the remainder of the business day, so that faculty, staff and students can attend to any needs arising from the Kilauea activity. Students who have scheduled exams at the Hale Kea Advancement and Testing Center should contact their  instructors to follow up on rescheduling exams.

UPDATE: May 4, 2:51 p.m.

Highway 130 is closed between the Highway 132 intersection and south of Leilani Estates. Motorists should use Route 137 (Kalapana-Kapoho Road) and Route 132 as an alternate route. Hawai‘i County Police closed the highway due to an excessive amount of people on the side of the road and the potential exposure to hazardous gas.

No damage has been reported to any of the HDOT Highways Division facilities as a result of the earthquakes or eruptions. HDOT crews are continuing inspections of roadways, bridges and slopes.

Hilo International Airport. DOT photo.

HDOT Airports personnel immediately inspected the runways and taxiways at Hilo International Airport (ITO) following the earthquakes. No damage was found. Additional inspections of buildings, water and gas lines were conducted and no damage was discovered. Flights were temporarily on hold at ITO during the inspections. All airline operations have resumed and all operations are normal.

UPDATE: May 4, 2:39

Two Red Cross shelters remain open for residents evacuated from their homes due to the Kilauea lava threat.

Pāhoa Community Center (15-3022 Kauhale Street, Pāhoa)

Kea‘au Community Center (16-186 Pili Mua St, Kea‘au)

As of noon on Friday, there were approximately 200 residents at the Pāhoa Community Center and two residents at the Kea‘au Community Center.

The Red Cross recommends that people prepare their emergency kits for 14 days and bring their emergency supplies with them to shelters.

Full details about what the kit should contain are available at www.redcross.org/hawaii (see Programs and Services/Disaster Preparedness).

UPDATE: May 4, 2 p.m.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports an earthquake occurred at approximately 12:33 PM today.

Revised data indicates that the earthquake that was first reported as a 6.0 magnitude was actually a 6.9 magnitude quake centered in the vicinity of the south flank of Kilauea volcano.

Many areas may have experienced strong shaking.

This earthquake generated small sea level changes at some locations on the big island. Measurements include:

• Hilo 20 cm amplitude
• Kapoho 40 cm amplitude
• Honuapo 15 cm amplitude

At all locations the fluctuations are now diminishing.

No tsunami is expected.

As in all earthquakes, be aware of the possibility of aftershocks. If the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, precautionary checks should be made for any damages; especially to utility connections of gas, water, and electricity.

UPDATE: May 4, 2018, 1:46 p.m.

High sulphur levels shutdown Pohoiki Road, east of Leilani Estates.

UPDATE: May 4, 1:24 p.m.

Preliminary earthquake report
indicates a magnitude 6.9
earthquake occurred on May 4 at 12:23 p.m. 10 miles SE of Fern Forest, 10 miles SSE of Eden Roc, 10 miles SW of Leilani Estates, (23 miles S of Hilo.

This is an update of an earlier report by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center that said a 6.0 earthquake occurred at approximately 12:33 a.m.

UPDATE: May 4, 1:07 p.m.

Effective immediately, the DLNR Division of State Parks has closed its Lava Tree State Monument and Mackenzie State Recreation Area until further notice.  Gates to these parks will be locked and closure signs posted.

This action was taken after consultation with Hawai‘i County Emergency  and Parks and Recreation which recommended the closures due to earthquake activity in the Puna District.

Rep. Tuslsi Gabbard in Puna in an interview with NBC: PC: BIN

UPDATE: May 4, 12:40 p.m.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports an earthquake occurred at approximately 12:33 a.m.

Preliminary data indicates that the earthquake measuring a magnitude of 6.0 was centered in the vicinity of the south flank of Kilauea Volcano.

This earthquake was not large enough to cause a tsunami for the island of Hawai’i.

Evacuation in progress in Leilani Estates via Highway 130, May 4, 2018, around noon. PC: BIN

UPDATE: Friday, May 4, 12:30 p.m.

A new vent has opened near the intersection of Leilani Avenue and Kahukai Road.

Active volcanic vents are located on Makamae, Kaupili and Mohala Streets.

There is no activity at Puna Geothermal Venture at this time. PGV is secured.

UPDATE: Friday, May 4, 12:31

Unofficial reports of a “huge earthquake” have just come in from Leilani Estates.

UPDATE: Friday, May 4, 11:39 a.m.

Big Island Now has received unofficial reports of a “big earthquake” felt as far north as O‘okala.

The official report from the USGS:

A preliminary magnitude 5.31 quake occurred at 11:32 am. about 11 miles SW of Leilani Estates.

Three smaller quakes ranging in magnitude from 3.7 to 4.2 followed in rapid succession.

At 11:40 a.m., the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that its preliminary data indicated that the earthquake measuring a magnitude of 5.6.

This earthquake was not large enough to cause a tsunami for the island of Hawai’i.

As in all earthquakes, be aware of the possibility of aftershocks. If the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, precautionary checks should be made for any damages; especially to utility connections of gas, water, and electricity.

UPDATE: Friday, May 4, 11:29 a.m.

Highway 130 closed between Highway 132 intersection and south of Leilani Estates. Use Route 137 (Kalapana-Kapoho Road) and Route 132 to bypass.

EMERGENCY ALERT SENT TO AREA RESIDENTS: High sulphur dioxide levels are toxic in the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens area. Everyone in the area should evacuate immediately.

Below: Video from a area shelter. Sen Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Russell Ruderman at Pāhoa Community Center, 11:40 a.m., May 4, 2018. VC: BIN

https://www.facebook.com/BigIslandNow/videos/1644587202285489/

UPDATE: Friday May 4, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.

Active volcanic vents have been erupting on Makamae and Mohala Streets in Leilani Estates, with today’s addition of Kaupili Street.

The area continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening. No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time.

All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions have been ordered to evacuate.

Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to ensure safety away from dangerous gases and other hazards.

Puna District subdivisions and main highways. MC: hiloagent.com

Friday, May 4, 8:18 a.m.

All of Leilani Subdivision is closed; no entry permitted due to hazardous air quality and unstable lava conditions.

Friday, May  4, 6:41 a.m.

Avoid Leilani Avenue in Leilani Estates due to cracks forming across of Leilani Avenue. The unstable conditions due to the ongoing eruption has created extremely hazardous roadway conditions.

Areas downslope of the erupting vent are at risk of lava inundation. At this time, the general area of the Leilani Estates subdivision appears at greatest risk. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense is on scene and coordinating needed responses, including evacuation of the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions. USGS/HVO

Friday, May 4, 4:20 a.m.

Active volcanic vents are erupting on Makamae and Mohala Streets in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.

All Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision residents are ordered to evacuate immediately. All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate. The Pāhoa Community Center and the Kea‘au Community Center are open for shelter. Police, fire and county agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with evacuation.

• Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.

CLOSURES: Kua O Ka La Charter School, Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo School, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science, Keonepoko Elementary and Pāhoa High, Intermediate and Elementary will be closed today. Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to allow evacuation efforts to proceed. Puna Geothermal Venture power production is suspended until further notice.

Puna Geothermal Venture (top of photo) power production is suspended until further notice. May 3, 2018. PC: USGS/HVO

Hawai‘i Fire Department reports extremely high levels of dangerous sulfur dioxide gas detected in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with respiratory issues need to comply with the mandatory evacuation order and leave the area.

The Hawai‘i Police Department reminds the public that a temporary flight restriction is in place for most of lower Puna. Drones can be confiscated in the Temporary Flight Restriction Area (TFR). More information can be found at tfr.faa.gov.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, police, fire and partners continue to assist evacuation efforts and monitor the situation.

Friday, May 4, 4:20 a.m. Active volcanic vents are erupting on Makamae and Mohala Streets in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District. PC: Paradise Helicopters

Friday, May 4, 2:24 a.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms a volcanic eruption in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.

Active fountaining is occurring at this time within the Leilani Subdivision, all occupants are ordered to evacuate immediately.

Police, fire and county agencies along with the National Guard are assisting with evacuation.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

Hawai‘i Fire Department reports extremely high levels of dangerous sulfur dioxide gas detected in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with respiratory issues need to comply with the mandatory evacuation order and leave the area.

All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate.

The Pāhoa Community Center and the Kea‘au Community Center are open for shelter.

Residents evacuating should bring an emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.

The Hawai‘i Police Department reminds the public that a temporary flight restriction is in place for most of lower Puna. Drones can be confiscated in the Temporary Flight Restriction Area (TFR). More information is available at tfr.faa.gov.

Leilani Estates lava, May 3, 2018. PC: USGS/HVO

An emergency proclamation is now in effect.

Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to allow evacuation efforts to proceed.

Hawaii Gas Company Customers with questions should call their 24/7 hotline at (808) 935-0021.

Puna Geothermal Venture power production is suspended until further notice.

Avoid travel to the evacuation area for everyone’s safety,

Hawaii County Civil Defense, police, fire and partners continue to assist evacuation efforts and monitor the situation.

Thursday, May 3, 10:22 p.m.
The Hawai‘i Fire Department reported extremely high levels of dangerous sulfur dioxide gas detected in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with respiratory issues need to comply with the mandatory evacuation order and leave the area.

• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate.

Thursday, May 3, 10 p.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms the Leilani Subdivision eruption. Fire Department detects extremely high levels of dangerous Sulfur Dioxide gas near eruption. Mandatory evacuation order now in effect for all residents in Leilani Estates/Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions.

Thursday May 3, 2018 at 9:15 p.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms a volcanic eruption in Leilani Subdivision in the Puna District.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

• Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely high levels of dangerous Sulfur Dioxide gas detected in the evacuation area. Elderly, young, and people with respiratory issues need to comply with the mandatory evacuation order and leave the area.
• All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate.
• The Pāhoa Regional Community Center near the new Pāhoa Regional Park is open for shelter.
• Kea‘au Community Center is open for additional shelter needs.
• Residents evacuating should ensure to bring your emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.
• An emergency proclamation is now in effect.
• Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 up to Lanipuna Subdivision to allow evacuation efforts to proceed.
• Hawaii Gas Company Customers with questions should call their 24/7 hotline at (808) 935-0021.
• Puna Geothermal Venture operations have shut down indefinitely until further notice.
• Avoid travel to the evacuation area for everyone’s safety.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, police, fire, public works and partners continue to assist evacuation efforts and monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety.

A view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō from the east, shortly after a small collapse. The coating of red ash on the south side of the cone (left side of photo) is evident. At 10:31 a.m. on May 3, while HVO geologists were working on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, a magnitude-5.0 earthquake shook the ground around the cone. Moments later, this collapse occurred in the crater of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, creating a robust, reddish-brown ash plume.

May 3, 8:45 p.m.

Hawaiian Airlines announced it is waiving reservation change fees for guests holding tickets for travel to and from Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) through Friday, May 4, 2018, due to the Kīlauea Volcano eruption.